Keres was built to test some prototype Mini-Spark
gearboxes from Finger Tech
Robotics. (See the accompanying
article on page 41.) After
spending some time debating
between several weapon systems,
I decided that a horizontal spinner
with a relatively large spinning bar
would be a good test setup.

With a horizontal spinner,
you need to be able to move
quickly to allow the weapon time
to spin up, and to give more
options for attack locations. You'll
also likely spend a decent amount
of time flying around the arena
on larger hits, which will be a
good way to test how the
gearboxes handle sudden impacts
without having to intentionally
expose your wheels to the other
robot.